The challenge to eat better started in October. Before the challenge I was used to eating whatever looked the most appealing. I ate vegetables when they were on a burger and fruit flavored drinks. Needless to say, I wasn’t eating very well.
I really wanted to take this challenge seriously, so I enlisted the help of my wife and six kids. We came up with a plan to eat two vegetables at every meal and to avoid processed foods. In the mornings I decided to eat whole grains and fruit. Slow cooker steal cut oats and cream of wheat became my breakfast options. I like to add fresh blueberries to my oats to get an easy serving of fruit first thing in the morning. I have found that fruits are a lot easier for me to snack on through out the day. The challenge I had to face next was to introduce more vegetables into my meals.
I like salad, but the idea of eating different varieties of lettuce at each meal wasn’t appealing. I didn’t want this challenge to feel like a diet. I was and am taking this as a chance to change my lifestyle. I found that meal prep was the key increasing my vegetable intake. Having my meals ready to take to work has set me up for success. Green beans, brussel sprouts, asparagus, and corn have been the easiest to for my meal prep.
The most difficult part of this first month was the snack foods. I am an avid snacker and often proclaim that I am a snack-o-saurus rex. Chips and dip are my go-to snack. Replacing snack was a key to my success. Apples, grapes, carrot stick, and string cheese (in moderation) have been a great option.
In the month of October, I haven’t seen a ton of visible changes. What I have notices is less indigestion, better sleep, more energy, and a healthier complexion. I can’t wait to see what happens in the month of November.
